"I couldn't be doing this without their help," Speier said. "They have it pretty well lined up -- who's available, who's not, what's a good situation to bring guys in. Bryan has always been very vocal about that. I always will follow his lead on that. And when the hitting things come up, I ask Brook [Jacoby]. I get input from Brook on the hitters."

As for Baker, he appears on target to return to work on Monday at St. Louis for the beginning of the final regular season series.

"I talked to Dusty today," Speier said. "First and foremost important, he is really good and anxious and ready to come back."